TrueUpdate FAQ

Software developers, network administrators and end-users alike share in the benefits of TrueUpdate 3.5 enabled software. Developers appreciate it for the control it gives them over their deployed software. Network administrators benefit from improved security and better control of network nodes. End-users see TrueUpdate enabled software as an assurance of quality – a symbol that the developer is there to stand behind their product.

Who needs TrueUpdate?

Any company who develops software applications or distributes data needs TrueUpdate. Any organization that needs to ensure its network is secure and updated with the latest patches needs TrueUpdate. Anyone who needs timely and secure synchronization of documents and files needs TrueUpdate. Ensuring that everyone is using the most recent point release of a particular package makes good sense. It eliminates legacy technical support calls, and corresponding user frustration. It ensures that data is current. It also serves to maintain customer satisfaction. And that’s something everyone can appreciate.

Is TrueUpdate Windows 10 compatible?

Yes! TrueUpdate’s design workspace and generated updates are compatible with Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista and all other current Microsoft Windows operating systems. With version 3.8 TrueUpdate is now certified compatible with Windows 10. It includes a configurable “requested execution level” setting for the update’s manifest.

What can you do with TrueUpdate?

Software products and network clients that have been TrueUpdate enabled can quickly and efficiently determine if they are out of date. Embedding TrueUpdate into a software product makes it extremely easy to manage, control and update “in the field”. Likewise, deploying the TrueUpdate client to computer systems throughout your network gives you a fast and manageable way to ensure that each node is current with the latest patches, documents and data that your company requires.

What’s wrong with traditional update methods?

One of the most serious problems with traditional update methods is that they require the users to do most of the work. The problem with relying on an update process that demands too much user involvement is obvious; the users might decide it isn’t worth the hassle to keep their systems up to date. This results in a higher incidence of legacy support issues, more security holes and other related problems. Additionally, when users don’t update, they don’t benefit from bug fixes and product improvements. TrueUpdate helps solve all of these problems.

What is automated updating?

Automated updating is the ability of software to handle some or all of the update process so the user doesn’t have to. The update process consists of all the steps required to determine whether a newer version exists for a given piece of software, as well as all the steps required to bring an older version up to date. Automating the update process allows software to keep itself current after it has been deployed to users.

How important is automated updating?

Today’s rapid product cycles, security vulnerabilities and short turnaround times make it more important than ever to get new versions into the hands of users quickly and efficiently. The Internet has created a highly competitive market where users expect immediate results and the prize often goes to the company that reacts the most quickly to changes in user needs and perceptions. In order to streamline software deployment, it is becoming increasingly desirable for software authors to incorporate automated updating abilities into their software.

How does TrueUpdate benefit the software developer?

The easier it is for your users to update your software, the more likely it is that your users will be using the latest version. Your technical support team will have fewer legacy issues to deal with. The easier it is for you to release updates, the more often you can release them. You won’t have to hold back releases until you have made enough changes to justify the effort required to prepare updates using traditional update methods.

Why add TrueUpdate to your software application?

In a traditional release cycle, once your application or data files are released to customers, clients or other end-users, they are static, expensive and time-consuming to alter. However, once you add TrueUpdate to your application, you’ll be able to easily update your product or data as often as you require. From the developer’s point of view, when a new software release is available – perhaps a bug has been fixed – TrueUpdate makes it trivial to publish the changes and bring all of your users up to date. The next time the user runs the application, TrueUpdate will detect that a new release is available and take steps to handle it.

How easy is it to add TrueUpdate to an application?

As a self-contained executable, the TrueUpdate client can be integrated into your application in less than a day. While the actual time required depends on the amount of integration you desire and your level of programming knowledge, most developers should be able to complete the job in just a few hours. We even include sample source code for adding a “Check for Update” menu command and tips to get you going.

Alternatively, the TrueUpdate client executable can be distributed directly, rather than being embedded within an application. This allows the TrueUpdate client to be called manually from the start menu, from a shortcut on the user’s desktop or automatically with system schedulers. This method of adding TrueUpdate to your application is as easy as installing a shortcut onto the user’s system.

How does TrueUpdate impact technical support?

TrueUpdate allows your users to benefit quickly from any new features and bug fixes you develop. Ensuring that users benefit from all the bug fixes you’ve released reduces the incidence of support calls. Keeping users up to date makes it easier to support them when incidents occur.

How will TrueUpdate impact our customers and clients?

Today’s users are savvy; they demand responsiveness from software companies and they want tools that meet their needs and make them more productive. In order to maintain customer loyalty and maximize the user’s experience with your software, you need to make updating the software as easy as possible. Making it easy for users to update your software shows that you’re committed to supporting it.

How does TrueUpdate benefit the network administrator?

Keeping a corporate, educational or government network up-to-date with the latest security patches, applications updates and operating system fixes is a time consuming ordeal. Without tools like TrueUpdate, the task is virtually impossible. By installing the TrueUpdate client onto your networked computers, you’ll be able to quickly and effectively roll out whatever software you want throughout your organization. The client software can analyze the computer system, decide what is currently installed and then take whatever actions you determine are needed to bring that system up-to-date. It’s fast, easy and automatic.

I’m not a developer…do I still need TrueUpdate?

Absolutely! You don’t need to be a software developer to benefit from TrueUpdate. As a stand-alone executable, the TrueUpdate client can be used to update all kinds of files. You could use TrueUpdate to distribute product catalogs to your sales teams, or to remotely configure system files across your corporate network. Price lists, help files, quarterly reports, internal support videos – TrueUpdate can help you keep anything up to date.

Does TrueUpdate actually install files?

With a full suite of file operations, including specialized actions to download, copy, delete, rename and even zip and unzip files, TrueUpdate may be all you need to install files onto a user’s system. For situations requiring a more manageable and compartmentalized solution to file installation and patching, we’d recommend using Indigo Rose’s TrueUpdate and Visual Patch products. Used in conjunction with TrueUpdate, these products make up a complete and robust software deployment and management solution.